Joey Rutkowski netted a hat trick to lead the Syracuse Junior Stars over the Buffalo Stars, 7-2.

Rutkowski's first goal came 11:25 into the second period. He then added goals at 14:58 into the third and at 18:49 into the third.

Buffalo's power play was ineffective against Syracuse's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

The the Junior Stars penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled six minors and one major for 27 minutes in penalty time. Syracuse had been averaging 15.0 minutes in penalties per game. The Junior Stars' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on eight Buffalo power plays. Syracuse forced the Stars goalie Thomas Brown to work between the pipes, taking 51 shots. The Junior Stars surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Syracuse has scored at the pace of 3.5 goals per game during the current campaign. The defensemen of the Junior Stars were also effective in Buffalo's zone, and came away with three goals.

Syracuse additionally got points from Anthony Angello, who also registered two goals and two assists and Jesse Farabee, who also racked up one goal and two assists. Syracuse also got a goal from Nate Zweig as well. More assists for Syracuse came via Tyler OMara, who had two, Steven Staversky, who had three, and Mike Seifert and Jeremy Wilber, who contributed one a piece.

The Stars kept Syracuse's goalie busy throughout the game, and Matt Schneider made 29 saves on 31 shots.

Buffalo was helped by Justice Rogers, who had one goal. Rogers scored 19:30 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Syracuse. John Colvin provided the assist. Patrick Schmelzinger also scored for Buffalo. Other players who recorded assists for Buffalo were Brandon Boyle, Tyler Furst, and Leo Blore, who each chipped in one.

The Junior Stars registered three goals on seven power play opportunities. Syracuse ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Garth Gray was ejected from the game. The Stars' Brown stopped 44 shots out of the 51 that he faced. Buffalo incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.